Joshua Báez’s first run in a Cardinals uniform ended Friday with an injury designation, but the 23-year-old outfielder leaves St. Louis with a month of big-league thunder behind him. The club placed Báez on the 10-day injured list with a left oblique strain before the series opener against the Nationals at Busch Stadium, closing the book on his 2026 season with only nine games left on the schedule.
An Early Finish for a Promising Call-Up
The Cardinals made the move retroactive to their Sept. 17 off-day and brought up infielder César Prieto to fill the roster spot. Báez had exited Wednesday’s extra-inning loss to the Giants in the top of the 10th after feeling the oblique issue on a swing. St. Louis would have welcomed his bat for the bottom half, but the injury took that choice away.
- Báez was placed on the 10-day injured list because of a left oblique strain.
- The transaction was dated back to Sept. 17.
- Infielder César Prieto was recalled in the corresponding roster move.
- With nine games remaining, Báez will not return this season.
“You always want to be out there with the guys and finish well,” Báez said. “But things happen, and it was out of my hands.”
Manager Oliver Marmol called the development disappointing, particularly because the club wanted Báez to keep collecting major-league at-bats down the stretch. Still, Marmol said the rookie received enough time in the room to make the call-up matter.
“He felt it on a swing in the last game, and we took him out,” Marmol said. “It is unfortunate because we hoped he could finish and continue getting that experience. But he got a meaningful look at the big leagues and heads into the offseason understanding what is ahead of him and what he needs to prepare for.”
Power Arrived Immediately at Wrigley
Báez did not ease into the majors. His Aug. 15 debut at Wrigley Field made history when he hit home runs in each of his first three career plate appearances. From there, he became a regular source of extra-base damage in the Cardinals lineup.
In 108 plate appearances across 29 games, Báez finished with seven homers and seven doubles. His .510 slugging percentage stood out even in a short sample. Among MLB rookies who had enough playing time to qualify, only Pittsburgh’s Esmerlyn Valdez matched that level of slugging.
| Joshua Báez, 2026 with Cardinals | Total |
|---|---|
| Games | 29 |
| Plate appearances | 108 |
| Home runs | 7 |
| Doubles | 7 |
| Slugging percentage | .510 |
A Useful Taste of the Big Leagues
Marmol saw more than the loud first-night power. He pointed to Báez’s adjustments over the following weeks, including improved at-bats as pitchers began working him differently.
“That first game showed the kind of ability he has and how high the ceiling can be,” Marmol said. “The next step is finding it consistently. He began to adjust and put together better at-bats, and that comes through experience.”
The manager also sees defensive work as part of Báez’s next assignment. Marmol said he is eager to watch the outfielder work with Jon Jay during the offseason as he develops into the defender the Cardinals believe he can become.
- Báez’s debut provided an immediate display of his power potential.
- His month in St. Louis gave him experience making in-season offensive adjustments.
- His offseason will include defensive development alongside Jon Jay.
- He will enter 2027 with a firsthand understanding of major-league life.
The injury denied Báez a final nine-game push, but it did not erase what he gained. For a rookie who had never stood in a major-league batter’s box before Aug. 15, the season now carries a useful bit of certainty.
“It gives you confidence,” Báez said. “I have been here now.”
